SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE

PSALM 119:89-91 (KJV)

"For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants."

A MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION

MATTHEW 16:13-17 (KJV)

"When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?'

And they said, "Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.'

He saith unto them, 'But whom say ye that I am?'

And Simon Peter answered and said, 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.'

And Jesus answered and said unto him, 'Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.'"

WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?

JOHN 15:18-21 (ESV)

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me[Jesus] before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me,they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me."

A PRAYER FOR FELLOW BELIEVERS

PHILIPPIANS 1:9-11 (ESV)

"And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

WORSE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE

JEREMIAH 17:9-10 (AMP)

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally sick! Who can know it [perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind]?

I the Lord search the mind, I try the heart, even to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings."

A LOSER--NOW OR LATER

MATTHEW 16:24-27 (AMP)

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also].
For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting].

'For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life [his blessed life in the kingdom of God]? Or what would a man give as an exchange for his [blessed] life [in the kingdom of God]?

'For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory (majesty, splendor) of His Father with His angels, and then He will render account and reward every man in accordance with what he has done.'"

PRACTICAL HOLINESS

LEVITICUS 19:1-3; 11-18 (MSG)

"God spoke to Moses: 'Speak to the congregation of Israel. Tell them, Be holy because I, God, your God, am holy.

Every one of you must respect his mother and father.

Keep my Sabbaths. I am God, your God.

Don't steal.

Don't lie.

Don't deceive anyone.

Don't swear falsely using my name, violating the name of your God. I am
God.

Don't exploit your friend or rob him.

Don't hold back the wages of a hired hand overnight.

Don't curse the deaf; don't put a stumbling block in front of the blind; fear your God. I am God.

Don't pervert justice. Don't show favoritism to either the poor or the great. Judge on the basis of what is right.

Don't spread gossip and rumors.

Don't just stand by when your neighbor's life is in danger. I am God.

Don't secretly hate your neighbor. If you have something against him, get it out into the open; otherwise you are an accomplice in his guilt.

Don't seek revenge or carry a grudge against any of your people.

Love your neighbor as yourself. I am God.'"